A Shot of Gin

Wagner’s debut novel (after the novella When We Hold Each Other Up) takes readers along on a meandering paranormal journey of self-discovery. Juniper “Gin” Cain is the ward of vampire casino owner Colton, who found her at the lowest point in her life and offered her options. Conveniently, Gin’s blood is mysteriously undesirable to vampires, which makes living and working at a vampire casino totally safe. Then irradiated zombies invade the casino—and Gin discovers that her blood is also fatal to them. Now every supernatural entity in Vegas wants to use her for their own protection, forcing Gin to reckon with what exactly her special blood entails and face her own inhuman side. While fleeing town, Gin accidentally causes a nuclear explosion, meets her biological father, and adds him to her list of beings to avoid, all while trying to control her newfound powers. Despite being set up as a high-stakes chase, Wagner’s freewheeling plot mirrors the main character’s sometimes aimless feeling as she wanders through the Nevada desert, with abrupt shifts in thought and action creating a jarring reading experience. Still, the worldbuilding, complete with gods and monsters, shows promise and the ending leaves room for a sequel. Readers will hope for tighter plotting next time out. (Oct.)